Gardaí investigate 'anthrax' attack on ministers and Ahern

Seven ministers and ex-taoiseach targeted as envelopes sent to Dáil contained white flake-like substance

Ali Bracken and Shane Coleman

A major garda probe has been launched after up to seven senior government figures were the target of an anthrax hoax last month.

The ministers and former taoiseach Bertie Ahern were posted envelopes containing a white flake-like substance and an accompanying hand-written note stating "Have a Happy Christmas". In some cases it warned them to "beware".

Among those who received the letters were transport minister Noel Dempsey, health minister Mary Harney and tourism minister Mary Hanafin.

Gardaí were also called to investigate separate death threats made against Bertie Ahern at his St Luke's constituency office in Drumcondra. It is understood a Dublin firefighter was arrested after gardaí traced three voicemails left at St Luke's in which threats were made on Ahern's life.

The man was under the influence of alcohol when he made the threatening calls and made admissions to gardaí in custody. However, it is unlikely he will be charged as the former taoiseach opted not to make a statement.

The anthrax hoax letters were sent to the ministers' Dáil offices in the run-up to Christmas. One of the ministers personally opened the envelope in his state car.

On inspecting the contents, his garda driver became concerned and called in garda experts. They were able to reassure the minister and he did not seek medical attention.

In most cases, however, the envelopes were opened by ministerial staff. Gardaí at Pearse Street – the closest garda station to Dáil Eireann – were notified in each instance.

Following analysis, the substance in the envelopes turned out to be flour-based and totally harmless.

However, sources said it was a very unnerving experience for those involved and was clearly an attempt to frighten or intimidate.

Gardaí at Pearse Street are taking the matter seriously and are trying to establish where the letters were posted.

They have analysed the envelopes and notes for fingerprints, although any letter is certain to be handled by a large number of people prior to arriving at its destination.

No suspects have yet emerged, but gardaí believe it was most likely the work of an individual rather than an organisation.

The investigation is at an early stage. The hoax follows a series of incidents involving government ministers and TDs in recent months. Windows were broken and graffiti was sprayed at Noel Dempsey's constituency office in Trim, Co Meath.

The constituency office of former junior minister Noel Treacy in Athenry, Co Galway, was also targeted.

Eggs and stones were thrown at the Galway home of another former minister Frank Fahey, while paint was thrown at health minister Mary Harney last November.

The Sunday Tribune has also learned that a Green Party minister was spat at on the street around the time of the announcement of the EU/IMF bailout.

There is no suggestion these separate events are in any way related, but they raise concerns about the safety of senior politicians. It is understood gardaí are taking a more vigilant approach to security at public appearances of ministers.

January 9, 2011

Comments

#1 Shane commented, on January 9, 2011 at 6:57 p.m.:

They're probably immune to anthrax

#2 Mick commented, on January 9, 2011 at 8:35 p.m.:

Raise concerns for the safety of senior politicians? Raise concerns with who exactly? I would say I am not alone in hoping the b***ards burn in hell every spineless one of them.

#3 knowtoomuch commented, on January 9, 2011 at 10:02 p.m.:

I must say that I am always angry when I hear about hoax attacks on politicians....they deserve so much more

#4 Hope commented, on January 9, 2011 at 10:49 p.m.:

OMG, how disappointing, if they were expecting cash in the envelopes. I think they should go into exile, they have have destroyed our country.

#5 Richard commented, on January 10, 2011 at 1:08 a.m.:

I found the following on an American website about these pathetic parsites.A man walks into a bar in Dublin and shouts out "all Fianna Fail supporters are a**holes,a man responds, I resent that,why? says the speaker, I resent it because Iam an a**hole.Can you imagine the image of Ireland these clowns will portray if they travel abroad on aSt. Patricks Day junket.

#6 joe commented, on January 10, 2011 at 1:19 a.m.:

Why not send them a bottle of your local tap water - I'm pretty sure it has more contaminants harmful to humans than flour.

#7 Jack Meskill commented, on January 10, 2011 at 5:34 p.m.:

Un-believably, no politicians, bankers or builders in jail yet and no-one has started a mass movement to only have elected to the Dail people who have never been a member of that house of gangsters before.
Why?
If we the voters, insisted on electing only people with no previous record of criminal political activity ( ie never elected before) and who promise to 1. immediately rescind the bank guarantees, 2. introduce legislation to abolish the DPP and instead establish an independent investigating magistrate system like on the continent, (to stop gardai superintendants protecting TDs) and to 3. enact emergency legislation to immediately provisionally jail all politicians, builders and bankers, believed by said investigating magistrates to be guilty of financial misconduct and corruption, provisionally freezing or seizing all their assets and those of their families, lovers and business associates, we might, just might, get out of this mess..............some day.
All in favour?
It really is quite feasible and would work.....

#8 anthony commented, on January 10, 2011 at 5:36 p.m.:

opening letters from unknown people in state car,s really shows how intellegent thoes lot really are, had the garda not intervened it might have been sniffed,

#9 c carroll commented, on January 10, 2011 at 8:29 p.m.:

paul "the conscience wrestler baby minding" gogarty must be dissapointed he didnt receive a hoax.He could have rushed to the sea with it and then claim he had saved the lives of thousands of people from dublin west!

#10 Jaker commented, on January 13, 2011 at 2:31 p.m.:

I'd have sent them a double dose of "Swine Flu" & a "Trolley" to lie on while they're laid up or laid down.

#11 Hope commented, on January 13, 2011 at 10:26 p.m.:

#10, how thoughtful....how thoughtful...& in these hard times to think you would be so generous, must put all in FF to shame....

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